10 rules of Wine Etiquette for a perfect Christmas toast

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Every aspect of the toast must be defined in detail. It involves very specific rules and good practices that should be respected. We will explain to you, step by step, how to make the perfect toast.

First of all, make sure you have some Italian sparkling wines in your cellar, because the toast must be made with bubbles, the type of wine to prefer for this ritual.

1. Make a toast at the beginning and/or at the end of the meal

A toast is made at the beginning and/or at the end of the meal. The choice is yours!

At the beginning, the toast marks the symbolic opening of the meal. It creates a convivial, cheerful and pleasant atmosphere, starting the celebrations in the best possible way. At the end of the meal, the toast can be useful for thanks or final good wishes.

It is better to avoid making a toast in the middle of Christmas lunch or New Year's Eve dinner because it interrupts the service of dishes and creates confusion at the table.

2. Avoid the popping noise when you open the bottle of sparkling wine

The bottle of sparkling wine for the Christmas toast should be uncorked without making too much noise and without letting the cork come out quickly. According to wine etiquette, the popping noise should be avoided because it is not very elegant.

Popping the cork quickly should also be avoided for two other very important reasons. The noise that can be generated once the cork is removed is caused by the carbon dioxide that we find in the bottle that, suddenly, finds the opening to escape and release all its power. The escape of carbon dioxide negatively affects the quality and persistence of the perlage and causes the loss of part of the aromatic substances of the sparkling wine. Furthermore, popping the cork quickly can be dangerous for the safety of people who are nearby. The cork comes out of the neck of the bottle, pushed by the carbon dioxide, at high speed and with considerable force.

To keep the cork under control, block the head of the cork with the thumb of one hand and rotate it slowly.

3. Use the right glasses for the toast

A toast requires its own glasses, those suitable for sparkling wines. For the toast you should use the appropriate flute glasses, designed to enhance the bubbles.

If the toast is at the beginning of the meal, serve the glasses to the guests and then collect them once you have finished the toast. At the end of the meal, however, before serving them, you should collect and remove from the table the other wine glasses used during the meal. For the toast, do not use the same glasses that you used for the other wines!

4. Fill the glass of sparkling wine up to 2/3

Do not fill the glass to the brim. The glass must be filled up to ⅔.

By following this rule, you prevent the sparkling wine from overflowing from the glass; you allow the correct oxygenation of the wine and the enhancement of the perlage and its aromatic set. Furthermore, filling the glass for ⅔ prevents the wine from warming up quickly, maintaining the ideal serving temperature.

5. Fill the guests' glasses first

Another aspect of the toast to consider is the order in which the glasses are served. Wine etiquette requires a very specific sequence:

1. ladies first, in decreasing order of age until the youngest female guest;

2. hostess;

3. male guests, in decreasing order of age until the youngest male guest;

4. host.

6. The host proposes the toast, standing up

Can anyone propose a toast? Yes, although Wine Etiquette recommends that the host or hostess take the initiative first. The host should propose the first toast as a sign of hospitality and welcome. Guests, on the other hand, could propose the second toast, during dessert or at the end of the meal, for the final good wishes and the ritual thanks.

The person proposing the toast should stand up. Only later, after the ritual phrases, the other guests can stand up to participate in the ritual. The person proposing the toast should also call the attention of the guests by voice. It is not elegant and is absolutely not recommended to call attention by tapping the cutlery on the glass. Although this practice is quite common, Wine Etiquette suggests avoiding it.

7. Say personalized messages of best wishes

This is one of the most well-known and popular rules of the perfect toast, but, at the same time, one of the least followed and applied. According to Wine Etiquette, it is better to say personalized messages of best wishes rather than the classic cheers.

Thoughtful and personalized phrases, always short and elegant, highlight the uniqueness of the situation and are more appreciated by the guests.

8. Turn your glasses towards your guests, without letting them touch

This rule is also very well known, but rarely applied.

When we toast, we make the glasses meet those of the other guests. It is not recommended by Wine Etiquette. It is not very elegant and generates a bit of confusion, but be careful ... In formal situations it is absolutely forbidden, while for more informal toasts it is allowed.

It would be better to raise the glasses and turn them towards those of the other diners, without letting them touch. It is important to make eye contact with the other participants in the toast. In this way, the ritual is more refined and elegant and less confusing.

9. Toasting with water brings bad luck, drink even if you are a teetotaller

Even teetotalers toast, but not with water or other drinks, except for cultural or religious prohibitions. Traditionally, toasting with water or other drinks brings bad luck (if you want to discover the story behind this belief, we recommend reading our article: Why is it bad luck to toast with water?).

Even teetotallers must have their own glass of wine. Pour a very small amount of sparkling wine into their glass. No one will force them to drink, but, according to Wine Etiquette, they should wet their lips. This is a sign of respect, unity and sharing, part of the convivial atmosphere of this ritual.

10. Drink slowly

It's time to drink. There's a little rule for this gesture too, universally valid: drink slowly, it's the only way to appreciate the qualities of the sparkling wine.

Follow our rules and your Christmas toast will achieve perfection!